Difference between revisions of "Continent"
Jeremiah4-22 (Talk | contribs) (New page: A very large contiguous landmass, often delimited by tectonic boundaries, which assist in distinguishing a small '''continent''' (such as Australia) from a large [[isla...) |
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A very large contiguous landmass, often delimited by [[plate tectonics|tectonic]] boundaries, which assist in distinguishing a small '''continent''' (such as Australia) from a large [[island]], such as [[Greenland]]. Continental masses often extend a number of miles out into the ocean, only shallowly submerged; this region is known as the [[continental shelf]]. | A very large contiguous landmass, often delimited by [[plate tectonics|tectonic]] boundaries, which assist in distinguishing a small '''continent''' (such as Australia) from a large [[island]], such as [[Greenland]]. Continental masses often extend a number of miles out into the ocean, only shallowly submerged; this region is known as the [[continental shelf]]. | ||
| − | The continents of Earth are [[Eurasia]] (often divided into [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]), [[Africa]] (occasionally included as a part of the Eurasian supercontinent which is then referred to as [[Eurafrasia]], [[America]] (often divided into [[North America]] and [[South America]]), [[Antarctica]] and [[Australia]]. | + | The continents of Earth are [[Eurasia]] (often divided into [[Europe]] and [[Asia]], which exist on separate sides of the Ural Mountains), [[Africa]] (occasionally included as a part of the Eurasian supercontinent which is then referred to as [[Eurafrasia]], [[America]] (often divided into [[North America]] and [[South America]]), [[Antarctica]] and [[Australia]]. |
Historically (hundreds of millions of years ago), a number of other continents and supercontinents have existed, such as [[Pangaea]], [[Laurasia]] and [[Gondwanaland]]; these have been broken up and reassembled into the currently existing configuation, by the process of [[continental drift]]. | Historically (hundreds of millions of years ago), a number of other continents and supercontinents have existed, such as [[Pangaea]], [[Laurasia]] and [[Gondwanaland]]; these have been broken up and reassembled into the currently existing configuation, by the process of [[continental drift]]. | ||
Revision as of 15:05, July 18, 2007
A very large contiguous landmass, often delimited by tectonic boundaries, which assist in distinguishing a small continent (such as Australia) from a large island, such as Greenland. Continental masses often extend a number of miles out into the ocean, only shallowly submerged; this region is known as the continental shelf.
The continents of Earth are Eurasia (often divided into Europe and Asia, which exist on separate sides of the Ural Mountains), Africa (occasionally included as a part of the Eurasian supercontinent which is then referred to as Eurafrasia, America (often divided into North America and South America), Antarctica and Australia.
Historically (hundreds of millions of years ago), a number of other continents and supercontinents have existed, such as Pangaea, Laurasia and Gondwanaland; these have been broken up and reassembled into the currently existing configuation, by the process of continental drift.
